May23, 2010 - At this weekend's Greco-Roman and Freestyle state wrestling championships, sophomore Dylan Bull became the school's first All-State wrestler in the event by placing in Greco-Roman at the Cadet level.  Bull, a first year member of the Vista team advanced to the finals of the event by defeating CHSSA 2A State champion Edmonds of Holyhoke HS in the semifinals. Dylan finished 2nd in the Greco championships, losing to the 3A state champ in two rounds, but refused to give up a takedown, almost scoring his own before going to the down position. In the freestyle state championships in a stacked weight class that included many state champions and more state finalists and placers, Dylan placed fifth after losing his first round to 5A state champ Martinez of Pine Creek. Dylan's All-State performance earned him MVHS Greco/Freestyle MVP Honors.

 *Peter Merrick - 10th - Peter attended nearly every post-season freestyle and Greco-Roman event, medaling in most of his appearances. For his efforts, Peter wins the MVHS Most Dedicated Award for the Greco/Freestyle season.

April 3, 2010 - Several Mountain Vista wrestlers qualified for the CUSAW Freestyle State Championships by placing in the top three of today's Freestyle qualifier in Grand Junction.  (See Greco Qualifiers in Article Below)

Junior Division

119lbs - Kegan Stritchko led the team again to win both the Freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments qualifying him for both the state championships as well as the Colorado National team in both styles.

171lbs - Mike Carter took fourth in the event.

Cadet Division

119lbs - CHSAA state-qualifier Dylan Bull took 3rd to qualify to freestyle states.

135lbs - Brian Bacon took 2nd.

145lbs  - Gavin Stritchko took 2nd and Peter Merrick took 3rd to qualify two Vista wrestlers for the state tourney.

152 lbs - Jose Avendano finished 3rd.

160lbs - Jacob Bancroft took first.

April 3, 2010 - At Friday's Greco-Roman State-qualifying tournament in Grand Junction, several Mountain Vista wrestler qualfiied for the Greco state championships by placing in the top three of their weight classes and age divisions at the tournament. The boys will wrestler all day on Saturday in hopes of qualifying for the Freestyle State Championships as well.  Update coming soon!

 Junior Division:

119lbs: Kegan Stritchko led the team beating a two-time folkstyle state qualifer in dominant fashion to win the tournament title.

171lbs: Brian Conahan took second.

Cadet Division:

130lbs: Brian Bacon - 1st

145lbs: Gavin Stritchko - 2nd

160lbs: Jacob Bancroft - 1st

215lbs: Josh Lacey - 1st

March 14, 2010 - Please use the following information to plan for post-season activities.  Call or email Coach LaVoie or Coach Bittler with any questions.

*Freestyle and Greco Practice and Season - Practice started a week ago.  The team meets Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5PM.  Please make plans to attend these sessions.  We have an extensive tournament schedule for the post-season, including qualifying events for CO State Free and Greco Championships.

*Post Season Workouts - We workout Monday-Friday every day after school.  Meet in the wrestling room by 3:05 to begin workouts.  We run, lift, and do everything else necessary to stay in shape.

*Iowa Camp at Estes Park - June 11-15.  Featuring wrestlin greats Tom and Terry Brands, please attend if possible.  This is a resident camp.  Brochures are available at MV or via email.

*Penn State Wrestling Camp - July 8-11. This is our team camp.  The camp features the best of the best in Cael Sanderson, undefeated 4-time NCAA D1 Champ and Olympic gold medalist.  We would like the whole team to attend.  Make this camp your priority if you can only attend one.  Flight information if forthcoming. See Coach LaVoie for an information packet.

*Wednesday Granby System - NEW - After our "Hurricane" workouts on Wednesday, Coach LaVoie will host intensive Granby series tutoring sessions.

March 11, 2010 - At the end-of-the season banquet held at Mountain Vista HS this week, several wrestlers earned a permanent spot in Vista wrestling history. Thank to team mom Nina, team cake-maker Mrs. Nigoghosian and all the parents and supporters who pitched in to make this event and the entire season such a success.

TEAM MVP - Taylor Gutierrez
COACH'S AWARD - Mike Carter
IRON EAGLE AWARD - Matt Manning
JV MVP - Jose Avendano
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Dylan Bull
MOST IMPROVED - Kyle Berges

March, 7, 2010 - This weekend seven Mountain Vista wrestlers competed in the USA Wrestling Freshman/Sophomore State Championships. This marked the first season that Vista has ever competed in the event.  Dylan Bull led the team and was the only placewinner.  Competing in the event, some at higher weight classes than during the season, were Robert Mitchell (103), Dylan Bull (119), Jose Avendano (145), Kyle Berges (145), Peter Merrick (145), Jacob Bancroft (160), and Josh Lacey (189).

Dylan Bull competed in the end-of-season CHSAA State Championships at 112 pounds after finishing 3rd at the Class 5A Region 2 Championships. Following the State Championships, Dylan has been competing as a goalie for the Vista Lacrosse team, taking the weekend off for the 9/10 State Wrestling Championships. Competing up a weight at 119lbs, Dylan's weight class included 23 other wrestlers, many of whom were state qualifiers in various divisions at the CHSSA State Championships. Dylan won his first two rounds by decision and fall, advancing to the quarterfinals.  There, he lost a close 8-6 decision to the eventual silver medalist from Holly High School. In the wrestle backs, Dylan won three matches in a row to improve to 5-1 on the day and advancing to the consolation championships.  He would eventually lose that match to take fourth place and earn all-tourney honors.  Dylan is the first Mountain Vista wrestler to place at the Freshman/Sophomore State Championships.

Peter Merrick also had a great tournament, advancing just one round shy of placing at the tournament, but finishing in the top eight of a 20-man bracket at 145lbs, his original weight class during JV competition this season. Peter won his first round by fall in the first period after taking a bye the previous round.  In the quaterfinals, he lost to an eventual finalist, dropping to the 3rd place brackets.  There he faced the same wreslter that earlier that day eliminated two of his teammate.  Although giving up an early lead, Peter stayed calm and earned several sets of points to win the match by decision. In the consi-quarters, he lost to miss placing by only one round, going 2-2 on the day.

Jacob Bancroft (freshman), first year wrestler at 160lbs, struggled earlier this year as he was new to the sport.  He proved that he has learned both technique and strategy as he won his first round by decision in triple overtime.  In the first round of the match, the bout stayed scoreless as both wrestlers could not complete a takedown.  Jacob scored a one-point escape in the second to take a 1-0 lead.  His opponent tied the score in the third with an escape of his own, bringing the score to 1-1.  In the first overtime, both wrestlers attempted several takedowns, but defense prevailed for both.  In the first of the thirty-second rounds, Jacob earned his second escape, brining the score to 2-1. In the second thirty-second round, Jacob held his opponent to the mat for the entire period, keeping him from scoring and thus winning the bout.  He won 2-1 but unfortunately did not place in the event.

Feb. 14, 2010 - Four Vista wrestlers placed in this weekend's Regional Championships and three are headed to the State Championships at the Pepsi Center this weekend.  The young Vista team finished 8 of 16 fielding only 11 of the 14 weight classes; two wrestlers competed in the JV championships instead and senior captain Brent Coffin was never cleared after his recent neck injury.  Nine of the eleven Golden Eagles survived to day two of Regionals as the team finished with a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place wrestler.  School records continued to fall as the Vista boys sought victory over the weekend.

112lbs: First-year sophomore Dylan Bull continues to impress. Recently ranked 15th in the state, Dylan took 3rd in the Regional Championships, losing only to the eventual champion, Apodaca from Mountain Range. Dylan received a bye to the quarterfinals where he won by decision over his opponent from Monarch.  Advancing to the seminfinals, Dylan then lost to Apodaca, dropping to the 3rd place bracket where he won consecutive matches by decision over Fort Collins and Horizon to earn bronze, a 3-1 tournament record, and his first spot in the Colorado State Championships. Dylan advanced to 24 wins on the season and currently leads the team in reversals.

145lbs: Junior team captain Mike Carter faced one of the toughest Regional brackets in the tournament based on recent rankings that featured the returning 3-time state champion. Mike missed nearly every day of school leading up to the tournament, eventually going to the doctor to discover the nature of his illness.  Weak and without practice over the week, Mike stormed into the tournament, going 2-0 on day one with a pin and decision over George Washington and Legacy respectively.  In the seminfinals he faced #5 Jesse Werth of Fort Collins.  Mike was most recently ranked 7th.  Losing in the semis, Mike dropped to the bronze bracket and won a close decision over his oppponent from Horizon, eventually taking fourth after a loss in the 3rd place finals to Wong of Mountain Range, ranked 10th.  Despite illness, Mike finished 3-2 on the weekend, finished in 4th place, and earned a spot, also his first, in the Colorado State Championships. Mike extended his school record for most wins on the season, moving to 36 wins.

171lbs: Senior team captain Matt Manning, faced a tough decision going into the Regional Championships this weekend, ultimately leading him to jump weight classes and wrestle at 171lbs instead of his normal 160.  Matt proved resilient at the tournament, missing the state championships by only one place, finishing 5th.  Matt wrestled more than any other Golden Eagle at the event.  In his opening round, Matt pinned his opponent from Highlands Ranch HS. In the quarterfinal, Matt drew the #5 wrestler in the state from Fort Collins and lost by decision in overtime.  Matt then beat Monarch HS by decision but then lost to the #6 state-ranked 71lbers also in overtime.  In the fifth place bout, Matt won via decision over Rangeview 4-3 to earn a chance to wrestle back for the state championships.  Suffering a knee injury in the bout, Matt lost by decision and finished in true 5th. At the close of his season, Matt finished with 29 wins, a feat only accomplished by a handful of Golden Eagle wrestlers in school history.

215lbs: Junior Peter Doro had the best tournament outside the placewinners, going 2-2 to miss place-winning by only one spot in the event.  Peter won matches over Horizon by decision and George Washington by pin.  With his last win, Peter became to the sixth wrestler on the Vista team to break the 20-win mark for the season.

285lbs: Returning state qualifier Taylor Gutierrez (senior) won his way to the finals of the Regional Championships, assuring himself a spot at the Colorado State Championships. Taylor advanced by bye to the quarterfinals where he won by fall over his opponent from Smoky Hill, avenging a loss from earlier in the season during an exhibition bout.  Advancing to the semifinals, Taylor (ranked 13th in the state) faced the number one seed in the tournament (ranked 6th).  In a close, nearly scoreless, bout, Taylor reversed his opponent and earned the win by fall in the third period.  In the finals, Taylor's opponent from Columbine was ranked 12th and was the 3rd seed in the tournament.  Wrestling a close match, Taylor lost a 2-1 decision to earn silver and advance to the State Championships. At the end of the event, Taylor realized his 34th season victory and took the sole lead in the race to set the school pin record as he now sits at 24. Taylor also leads the team in team points earned on the season, another new school record.

Feb. 6, 2009 - The Golden Eagles JV program finished 3rd out of 12 in this weekend's JV League Championships at Chaparal High School.  Only Ponderosa and Heritage finished higher in the event.  Several Vista wrestlers placed...

103: Robert Mitchell finished 2nd
112: David Ramirez finished 2nd
135: Jose Avendano finished 4th
145: Peter Merrick finsihed 4th
152: Alex Simons finshed 3rd
152: AJ Sack finished 5th
285: Greg Nigoghosian finished 3rd

Several wrestlers on the 9/10 team also placed.

130: Brian Bacon finished 6th.
160: Jacob Bancroft finished 5th.
189: Josh Lacey finished 6th.

Feb. 4, 2010 - The young Vista squad finished the regular season with a 14-9 record after going 0-2 on the final week of regular dual competition. 

On Monday, Feb. 1, the Golden Eagles lost a close bout with Chatfield High School.  The team score was decided by one match, unfortunate as senior team captain Brent Coffin sat and watched from the sidelines with an injury.  Despite the loss, highlights of the evening including several record-breaking performances.  Mike Carter and Taylor Gutierrez both won by fall to set a new school record at 22 pins on the season.  Taylor extended his scoring record, moving to 176 team point earned.  Mike set a new school record for the most wins in a season at 33.

On Thursday, Feb. 4, Vista fell to Heritage High School 50-20.  The Golden Eagles won five bouts on the night.  Dylan Bull won by decision at 112. Mike Carter won by major decision at 145. Matt Manning also won by major at 160.  Peter Doro scored the only fall at the night at 215lbs.  Taylor Gutierrez won by decision at heavyweight.

In JV action against Heritage, David Ramirez (112), Zane Williams (112), Jose Avendano (135) Lotem Sella (140) all won matches.  Avendano now has the sole lead for most wins and best win percentage for the JV squad.

Feb. 4, 2010 - After the end of the regular season, the following Golden Eagle wrestlers are on the varsity leaders' board:

Most Wins: Mike Carter (145) - 33 (NEW SCHOOL RECORD)
Most Pins: Taylor Gutierrez (285), Mike Carter (145) - 22 (NEW SCHOOL RECORD)
Most Major Decisions: Mike Carter (145) - 5
Most Takedowns: Nick King (125) - 61
Most Reversals: Dylan Bull (119) - 25
Most Nearfalls: Mike Carter (145) - 52
Most Escapes: Nick King (125) - 36 (NEW SCHOOL RECORD)
Most Team Points Earned: Taylor Gutierrez (285) - 180 (NEW SCHOOL RECORD)

The Mountain Vista Team finishes14-9 in dual competition.  The wrestler of the week for the last week of regular season competition is Dyaln Bull for his 2-0 performance over the week including a dominant win while bumping up to the 119lb weight class.

The following Golden Eagle wrestlers are leading the JV stat board:

Most Wins: Jose Avendano (135) - 26
Most Pins: Jose Avendano (135) - 19
Most Majors: Jose Avendano (135) - 3
Most Takedowns: David Ramirez (112) - 35
Most Reversals: Jose Avendano (135), Peter Merrick (145) - 25
Most Nearfalls: Jose Avendano (135) - 44
Most Escapes: AJ Sack (152) - 20
Most Team Points Earned: Jose Avendano (135) - 147

The Mountain Vista wrestlers next compete in post-season action.  The 9/10 and JV teams compete in the league championships on Feb. 5-6 at Chaparal High School.  Varsity heads to the Regional Championships on Feb 12-13.